What We’ve Been Up To …

2019 Ramadan Berbagi / Ramadan to Share

2019 Ramadan Berbagi / Ramadan to Share

Samarinda, 6/12/2019 - With the support of our community here in New England, ICONE has concluded the annual Ramadan Berbagi / Ramadan to Share program for this year. This program is one of ICONE's charity programs to give back to Indonesia that focuses on supporting education among children and youth in need in Indonesia.

This year, expanding our charity outreach outside Java, the donations with the amount of IDR 8,600,000 went to Panti Asuhan Aisyiah Siti Khadijah, an orphanage center located in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Thanks to those who have contributed to the children of this orphanage center while also purchased the scrumptious selections of Indonesian cookies (kue kering) made by our favorite partner and friend "Z's Kitchen Indonesian Baked Goods". Special thank you as well to our local representative, Rahmida Fadhilah, who has delivered the donation to the orphanage despite the heavy flooding that has been paralyzing most parts of the city since last week.


About Panti Asuhan Aisyiah Siti Khadijah

Panti Asuhan Aisyiyah Siti Khadijah is an orphanage center under the management of the Aisyiyah Muhammadiyah charitable department and located at Jl. Merdeka No. 27, Samarinda, East of Kalimantan, Indonesia. For its operations, the orphanage relies on public donations or sadaqah (almsgiving). The orphanage is currently taking care of 30 children (age 1-10 years old) and 24 youths (age 11-17 years old). Various educational programs, as well as vocational activities, are given at this center to better prepare these children and youths to live productively and independently in their future.

About Ramadhan Berbagi / Ramadhan to Share program

This program, while serving its purpose in supporting and empowering our local talents in culinary, is also one of ICONE’s giving back programs to Indonesia, which focuses on providing educational support to children and youth in need. Started in 2016, every Ramadhan, 100% of donation from this program goes to different targeted community and welfare institutions that requires help in Indonesia. Bersama, kita bisa!

Elementary School Children in Stoughton, MA Learn About Komodo Through Book & Storytelling

Stoughton, 05/15/2019 – The Indonesian Community of New England, Inc. (ICONE) introduced Komodo dragon - the largest lizard in the world that only can be found in Komodo Island in Indonesia - to the elementary students in Massachusetts through book and storytelling. Supported by the Education and Cultural Attaché office at Embassy of Republic Indonesia in Washington D.C., this initiative is part of ICONE's Indonesian Storytelling Tour program that aims at introducing and promoting the richness of Indonesian values, culture, and biodiversity to children in New England through stories and children books at local schools and libraries.

Our volunteer, Poppy Mulligan, read aloud a playful book titled “Dear Komodo Dragon” written by Nancy Kelly Allen at the Richard L. Wilkins Elementary School in Stoughton, Massachusetts. The students attentively listened to the amusing story about a little girl named Leslie and her real-life Komodo dragon pen-pal Komo. As pen-pals, the two characters learned about the things they both liked and how different their lives were. Initially wanted to be a dragon hunter when she grew up, Leslie changed her mind after learning that Komodo dragons are endangered species and her pen pal Komo is one of the only few left in the world. In the end, Leslie promised to protect all Komodo dragons and spread the word that they should not be poached or hunted.

From the book, the students learned that Komodo dragons are indigenous to Indonesia and also learned about their life cycle, physical and behavioral traits. At the end of the read-aloud session, the students eagerly asked questions about Komodo dragons, including whether they like to eat or attack humans. For their further reading, two Indonesian storybooks were donated to the class library.

Our special thanks to the school principal, Dr. Lisa Wheelan, and the kindergarten homeroom teacher, Ms. Kelly Fahey, for their support in making this storytelling session happened.

While we are working on the next storytelling events, please check out the following books from your local library and let your friends and families know about them.

    • Dear Komodo Dragon” by Nancy Kelly Allen.
    • Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories” by Joan Suyenaga.
    • Balinese Children's Favorite Stories” by Victor Mason.
    • I is for Indonesia” by Elizabeth Rush.
    • Tari: The Little Balinese Dancer” by Pamela Noensie and Garretta Lamore.
    • Go to Sleep, Gecko!” by Margaret Read MacDonald.

If you'd like to participate or volunteer in our future storytelling events, please email us at contact@icone-inc.org or dhanni.setyaning@icone-inc.org.  Thank you.

 


Also read:

Indonesian Food Bazaar 2019: Connecting People Through Culinary, Culture, and Music

Indonesian Food Bazaar 2019: Connecting People through Culinary, Culture, and Music

 

Cambridge, 4/27/2019 - The Indonesian community in New England celebrated the richness of its culture and the diversity of its people through culinary and music yesterday in Cambridge, MA. Not only attended by fellow Indonesians in the New England area, hundreds of people from different nationalities and backgrounds also flocked the Cambridge Masonic Hall to enjoy the varieties of delicacies from some of the best Indonesian food vendors in the region and amazing performances by the local Indonesian musicians, dancers, and poet.

As expressed by Olla Chas, ICONE's Co-Founder and President in her remark, one of ICONE's missions is to empower and bring the best out of Indonesians in New England and the bazaar is one of the most effective ways to showcase these strengths.

Several talented Indonesian musicians and singers, including four from Berkeley College of Music, who are now professional musicians based in Boston, one former Top 25 singers in the 2010 Indonesian Idol who's currently studying at Northeastern University, and three student musicians under Permias MA impressed the audience by their mix of musicality specialties - from jazz, pop, to dangdut renditions. A group of dancers from Boston Cendrawasih, an Indonesian traditional dance club based in Cambridge performed the delicate beauty of traditional dances from Aceh, West Sumatera, and Central Java. An enchanting Balinese dance was also presented by a native Balinese who's also a medical student at Harvard University. To add to the diversity of the performances, a jazz funk dance by an Indonesian professional dancer and a poetry reading were also showcased. The bazaar was also highlighted by a performance debut of an Indonesian student from Papua singing 'Aku Papua' that brought everybody to sing along with him proudly.

Each of the 12 food vendors participated were those who are specialized in different types of delicious Indonesian delicacies from various provinces in Indonesia. From West Sumatera's and North Sulawesi's spicy food like Rendang, Lontong Padang (rice cakes with veggies and egg in spicy coconut milk), Cumi Woku (Manadonese spicy braised squid), and so many varieties of food mixed in chili sauce; Javanese mild sweet food such as the Nasi Uduk Empal, Ayam Kalasan, Krecek (cattle skin stew), Gudeg (green jack fruit sweet stew), Chicken Satay, and many more; to all kinds of traditional desserts and refreshing beverages.

The bazaar was truly a testament of how the Indonesian community in New England, despite its diversity, can come together in harmony to share community strengths and culture through culinary and music.

Sincerest thank you to everyone who has helped in the making of this bazaar. ICONE's team members: Elvina Setia, Sophia Jamila, Rizki Setia, Amanda Madjid, Lina Pitono, Dhini Purnamasari, Dhanni Setyaning, Watty Grant, Tia Wulansari, and Ricky Djoko Basoeki. The MCs: Grace Purba and Kezia Erica. The vendors: Riri Dewi, Dita, Jeanne, Lia Muse, Martina, Mici's Kitchen by Micita Mahoney, Kartika by Afrianti Anggoro and Vera Lumowa, Dapur The Tio's, Bakso SuperPhilly, Z's Kitchen, Pecel Ndeso, Permias MA, Taste of Surabaya by Fefe Ang, Sury's Kitchen, and Dapurku by Susi Sihombing. All the performers and volunteers: Calvin Limuel, Kelvin Andreas, John Koh, Boston Cendrawasih, Arta Subagiarta, Felita Kezia, Marry Jane, Nelson, Pernus Tarasen, Maria Yuanita, Armaya Doremi, Sofia Widya Kezia, Ally Ang, Syarif, Jhendra Samodra, and friends from CCI program.

Together, we can. Bersama, kita bisa!

 


 

EVENT VIDEOS

It’s A Wrap: Congrats to ICONE’s Spring 2019 Bahasa Indonesia Course Graduates!

Cambridge 04/20/2019 – Once again ICONE has successfully conducted its Bahasa Indonesia course this spring with beginner and intermediate graduates.  This seven-week program is part of ICONE's ongoing efforts in promoting Indonesian culture in New England through language and has been one of the most sought-after education initiatives that we have.

With the support of our experienced language instructor, Satyawidya Wulansari, students learned and practiced Bahasa in well-structured yet fun meetings. The students practiced their speaking, reading and writing skills through interactive exercises, games, and teamwork designed not only to help them become a better Bahasa Indonesia speaker but also to familiarize them with Indonesian culture and geography.

One of the activities that the students enjoyed the most was the "Monster Kamu Yang Mana" activity where they had to draw a funny-looking monster and described it to others for them to guess. They also enjoyed conversing with their peers as they not only got the chance to practice their vocabulary and grammar but also to hear their classmates speak Bahasa Indonesia.

By the end of the term, the Beginner class students were able to do the simple introduction, describe themselves to others, and ask and answer basic questions using simple sentences. The Intermediate class students were able to expand their skills from previous Beginner class and modify sentences using active transition verbs me-, passive transition verbs di-, and form nouns using -an.

Our sincere gratitude to Prof. Popy Rufaidah, the Education and Cultural Attache, and her team at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington DC for supporting ICONE in carrying out this program. Thank you as well to the President of Indonesian Students Association at MIT, Noortitan Hartono, for lending the classroom for the Bahasa Indonesia program, ICONE's President Olla Chas for leading, and ICONE's Director of Education, Arts, and Culture Dhini Purnamasari for her assistance in managing the program.

Indonesian Storytelling Tour Goes to New Hampshire

 Indonesian Children Storytelling Tour Goes to New Hampshire

Madbury, 03/31/2019 – ICONE brings Indonesian children stories about Indonesian values of respect and caring to one of the Sunday schools in New Hampshire today. Supported by the Education and Cultural Attaché office at Embassy of Republic Indonesia in Washington D.C., this initiative is part of ICONE's Indonesian Storytelling Tour program that aims at introducing and promoting Indonesian values and culture to children in New England through stories and children books at local schools and libraries.

ICONE's volunteers, Belinda Dinsmore and Juliana Houseman,  read aloud the Indonesian folktale "Kancil Steals Cucumber" from the book "Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories" by Joan Suyenaga, in their Sunday school at the Maranatha Indonesia United Church of Christ, Madbury, New Hampshire. The students were amused by Kancil, a mischievous mouse-deer character from the book who steals cucumbers from a farmer regularly. Annoyed when seeing most of his cucumbers gone in the morning, the farmer built himself a scarecrow to scare away the thief. He also applied very sticky jackfruit sap on the scarecrow. Being arrogant, Kancil kicked the scarecrow, got stuck, and was consequently captured. Put in a cage in the farmer's house and was about to get slaughtered, Kancil tricked the farmer's pet, a dog, into taking his place. The folktale ends when the dog was left in the cage thinking of his stupidity. Through this folktale, the students learned about the importance of not being arrogant and not underestimating one's intelligence.

Besides listening to the story, the students also learned about the old way of livings and the different Indonesian traditional clothes from looking at the different illustrations in the book. Our volunteers also shared some general information about Indonesia to the students and their parents, such as how diverse Indonesia is in terms of its people and culture, as well as about its 34 provinces. At the end of the storytelling session, two books were donated by ICONE's representative in New Hampshire Lina Pitono to the Sunday school for further reading and sharing.

While we're working on the next storytelling sessions, please check out the following books from your local library and let your friends and families know about them.

    • "Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories" by Joan Suyenaga.
    • "Balinese Children's Favorite Stories" by Victor Mason.
    • "Dear Komodo Dragon" by Nancy Kelly Allen.
    • "I is for Indonesia" by Elizabeth Rush.
    • "Tari: The Little Balinese Dancer" by Pamela Noensie and Garretta Lamore.
    • "Go to Sleep, Gecko!" by Margaret Read MacDonald.

If you would like to know more about our storytelling program, would like to have the Indonesian storytelling brought to your children’s school or close-by library(s), or would like to volunteer, please email us at contact@icone-inc.org or dhanni.setyaning@icone-inc.org.  Thank you.

 


Also, read:

Warung Konsuler 2019 & Perpisahan KonJen RI di Boston

Boston, 3/30/2019 – Puluhan WNI yang tersebar di kawasan Massachusetts dan New Hampshire memadati kegiatan Warung Konsuler 2019 yang diadakan di Boston hari ini atas kerjasama antara KJRI New York, ICONE, Boston City Blessing Church dan Permias MA. Warga Indonesia yang datang memanfaatkan kesempatan untuk mendapatkan berbagai layanan konsuler dari tim KJRI New York seperti pembaruan/perpanjangan paspor, legalisasi dokumen, lapor diri dan konsultasi konsuler. Dari semua layanan konsuler yang ditawarkan, layanan paspor mendapatkan respon yang paling banyak dari warga dengan jumlah pendaftaran lebih dari 40 orang yang menyebabkan tim KJRI harus membatasi jumlah yang dapat dilayani menjadi 37 orang saja. Jumlah ini, menurut Konsul Konsuler Ibu Annisa Tyas Purwanti, adalah sebuah record layanan paspor paling tinggi dalam satu hari layanan yang pernah dilakukan selama ini oleh KJRI New York melalui kegiatan Warung Konsuler. Tingginya permintaan atas layanan paspor ini, merupakan hasil kombinasi dari gencarnya informasi yang disalurkan ke masyarakat sebelum kegiatan ini berlangsung oleh ICONE dan keinginan WNI di New England untuk mengurus paspor mereka di lokasi yang terdekat.

Pada kesempatan dan ditempat yang sama, warga juga mengadakan ramah tamah dengan KonJen RI Bapak Abdul Kadir Jailani yang telah menyelesaikan masa tugas di Amerika untuk selanjutnya mengemban amanah dari negara menjadi Duta Besar Indonesia di Kanada. Beberapa anggota masyarakat yang hadir menyampaikan rasa terima kasih mereka yang sedalam-dalamnya kepada Bapak Abdul Kadir dan secara gamblang menyatakan bahwa beliau adalah salah satu KonJen terbaik yang pernah masyarakat New England dapatkan selama ini. Acara ramah tamah ini juga dilengkapi dengan suguhan hiburan dari beberapa musisi muda Indonesia yang merupakan alumni dari Berklee College of Music, pemotongan tumpeng, dan makan siang bersama.

Terima kasih kepada seluruh pendukung kegiatan ini: Pastor Zee dan Daniel Pattianakotta dari Boston City Blessing Church atas penyediaan lokasi acara, tim Permias Massachuseets yang digawangi oleh Grace Purba, teman-teman alumni dari Berklee College of Music, serta tim ICONE yang dipimpin oleh Olla Chas yaitu Elvina Setia, Sophia Jamilah, Rizki Setia, Lina Pitono, Dhanni Setyaning, dan Watty Grant. Tidak lupa juga terima kasih kepada tim konsumsi: Lia Muse, Vera Lumowa, Yuandita Prasanti, dan Micita Mahoney.

Bersama, kita bisa!

Balinese Dance Workshop – Bringing One of the World Cultural Heritage From Indonesia to New England

Cambridge, MA, 3/24/2019 - As one of our missions to promote Indonesian arts and culture to the New England community, ICONE has concluded its first Balinese dance workshop in Cambridge, Massachusetts today. In this 3-week workshop, beginner level participants learned the basic movements of Puspa Wresti dance, a popular traditional Balinese dance inspired by the celebration of the Gods' descent to earth.

Dressed in Balinese songket sarongs while enjoying each other's companionship throughout the workshop, the participants immersed in the delicate yet striking individual postures and gestures that form the basics of Balinese dance, one of UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage. They learned how to dance with various components of a Balinese dance including different "agem" (fundamental postures), "tandang" (transitional movements), and "tangkep" (facial expressions). They were also able to integrate all these with the sound beats of enchanting Balinese gamelan.

Special thank you to our native and experienced dance instructor, I Made Subagiarta, for passionately and skillfully trained our participants with their first Balinese dance steps. We'd also like to express our gratitude to the Indonesian Education and Cultural Attache, Prof. Popy Rufaidah and her team at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington DC for supporting ICONE in organizing this program. Thank you as well to our volunteers, Dimas Muhamad and Hafiz Al Asad, for bringing the Balinese clothing ensembles all the way from Indonesia. Last but not the least, thank you to ICONE's President, Olla Chas, for spearheading this program, as well as ICONE's Director of Education, Art, and Culture, Dhini Purnamasari, for arranging and managing the workshop to a success.

 

Movie Screening: Rudy Habibie

Movie Screening: Rudy Habibie

 

Boston, 2/23/2019 - Families, students and professionals from across New England came together today at Northeastern University, Boston to enjoy the third Indonesian movie screening held by ICONE, Inc. and Permias MA. RUDY HABIBIE is one of the all-time-favorite Indonesian movies based on the book “Rudy: The Young Life of the Visioner” by Gina S. Noer and is the prequel to the Habibie & Ainun movie directed by the award winning Indonesian movie director, Hanung Bramantyo. RUDY HABIBIE tells a story about the transformational third president of Indonesia, BJ Habibie, who experienced hardships, love and triumphs during his early years.

Not only entertained by this inspirational movie, participants were also served with scrumptious Indonesian food especially made by our local Indonesian chefs: Afrianti Anggoro, Dita Prasanty, and Diah Darmakusuma. Congratulation as well to Lina Pitono who have won the raffle prize. Last but not the least, a special shout out of appreciation to the ICONE and Permias MA team members who have collaborated to feature another amazing Indonesian movie in Boston: Olla Chas, Adhni Mulachela, Elvina Setia, Sophia Jamila, Dhini Purnamasari, and Dhanni Setyaning.

Bersama, kita bisa!

ICONE Launch Indonesian Storytelling Tour Program in New England

ICONE Launch Indonesian Children Storytelling Tour in New England

Teaching Young Readers The Indonesian Values of Respect, Sharing, Disciplines, Hardwork and Caring to the Environment & Community

Cambridge, 01/28/2019 – As part of our education programs, ICONE – supported by the Education and Cultural Attaché office at Embassy of Republic Indonesia in Washington D.C. – is initiating an Indonesian Storytelling Tour program in the New England region. The Indonesian Storytelling Tour program aims at introducing and promoting Indonesian values and culture to children in New England through Indonesian stories and children books at local schools and libraries.

The storytelling at the Al-Bustan Preschool in Cambridge, today, marks the first ICONE’s Indonesian Storytelling Tour program. ICONE’s volunteer, Dhini Purnamasari, read a Balinese folklore book titled “Go to Sleep Gecko!” to the preschoolers. In that read-aloud session, the children learned a glimpse of Indonesian culture from an enjoyable story of a Gecko that used to not be able to sleep because of the fireflies around him, but then learned that he just needed to put up with some things in life. His request that the fireflies stop working at night sets off a comical chain of problems for everyone in his village and complicates everyone's life. In the end, Gecko’s friend the Elephant teaches Gecko that everyone has a purpose in the village: the fireflies provide light, the buffalo safety, and the rain provides nourishment. Everything is connected. Through this cumulative tale from the Balinese tradition, Gecko learns that his well-being depends on that of the entire village and he finally goes to sleep, a little wiser. This Balinese folktale will teach readers the importance of respect, sharingStorytellingand citizenship.

For further reading about Indonesian culture and nature, three children books were donated for the school's library.

ICONE is currently working on the next storytelling events to reach a broader audience in the New England area. Meanwhile, check out the following children's books in your local libraries and help us spread the words:

    • Go to Sleep, Gecko!” by Margaret Read MacDonald.
    • Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories” by Joan Suyenaga.
    • Balinese Children's Favorite Stories” by Victor Mason.
    • Dear Komodo Dragon” by Nancy Kelly Allen.
    • I is for Indonesia” by Elizabeth Rush.
    • Tari: The Little Balinese Dancer” by Pamela Noensie and Garretta Lamore.

If you'd like to know more about our storytelling program, would like to have the Indonesian storytelling brought to your children’s school or close-by library(s), or would like to volunteer, please email us at contact@icone-inc.org or dhanni.setyaning@icone-inc.org. Thank you.

 


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Sharing Session With Dr. Handry Satriago

Handry Satriago Himbau Mahasiswa dan Profesional di Boston, Amerika Serikat Siap Tangguh Dalam Persaingan Sumber Daya Manusia di Indonesia

Boston, 22 Januari 2019 – Bertemakan "Leadership & Global Talent Development in Indonesia", Handry Satriago, CEO dari General Electric Indonesia, mengajak para mahasiswa dan kalangan profesional Indonesia di Boston untuk siap dalam menghadapi berbagai tantangan pengembangan sumber daya manusia di Indonesia. Di acara diskusi terbuka yang diadakan oleh Indonesian Community of New England, Inc. (ICONE, Inc.) dan Asosiasi Mahasiswa Indonesia di MIT (MIT-AIS), puluhan profesional dan mahasiswa Indonesia dari berbagai universitas di Boston seperti Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston College, Harvard University, Northeastern University, Boston University, dan Tufts University mendapat arahan-arahan berguna dari Handry untuk dapat bersaing dan kelak menjadi pemimpin-pemimpin berpotensi di dunia kerja Indonesia.

Menurut Handry, penerapan prinsip kepemimpinan yang modern, mempunyai kepercayaan diri untuk berkompetisi, mau belajar dari kesalahan, pantang menyerah, dan selalu membuat patokan prioritas dalam bertindak menjadi faktor penentu penting untuk sukses bersaing di dalam dunia kerja.  Ketika berbincang tentang gaya kepemimpinan, Handry berujar, "leadership is a perception of the followers". Saat ini, konsep ‘anak buah’ sudah menjadi konsep yang out-of-date dan tidak cocok diterapkan lagi. Acuan pola pikir ‘anak buah’ ini dapat menghambat pengembangan talenta di Indonesia karena menyebabkan anggota organisasi cenderung mengikuti perintah atasan tanpa berpikir dua kali, tidak berani untuk menjadi kreatif, dan kurang percaya diri. "Let’s cut the cycle!", himbau Handry ketika membahas tentang budaya tidak baik, yang seringkali diwariskan dalam sebuah organisasi, perusahaan maupun institusi pemerintahan, agar para pemimpin masa depan tidak terpengaruh oleh budaya buruk seperti korupsi. 

Dalam sesi tanya jawab, para peserta dengan antusias berdiskusi dengan Handry mengenai beragam isu-isu terkait, seperti kesiapan talenta di Indonesia dalam menerapkan teknologi yang diambil dari negara lain, pengalaman beliau dalam usaha pengembangan dan penyebaran alat-alat berteknologi tinggi termasuk peralatan medis terkini di Indonesia, dan bagaimana kaum intelektual harus lebih aktif dalam mengubah status quo di Indonesia walaupun tidak jarang dicap sebagai elitis.

“Kami berharap dengan diadakannya diskusi terbuka dengan praktisi-praktisi usaha seperti bapak Handry ini dapat makin menginspirasi kalangan mahasiswa dan profesional Indonesia disini untuk tidak pernah berhenti menggali potensi mereka dan nantinya dapat berkontribusi dalam kemajuan Indonesia di berbagai bidang”, ujar Olla Chas, Co-founder & President ICONE, Inc., sebuah organisasi nirlaba yang menaungi beragam kegiatan kemasyarakatan Indonesia-Amerika, edukasi dan promosi seni budaya Indonesia di kawasan New England, Amerika Serikat.


Catatan:

Terima kasih atas kolaborasi antara tim ICONE dan MIT-AIS  atas berlangsungnya acara diskusi ini: Valentino Sudaryo, Titan, Adrian, Sophia Jamila, Elvina Setia, Dhini Purnamasari, Rizki Setia, dan Olla Chas.


 

Check out also: ICONE in the News

Indonesian Community of New England, Inc.